Handrail for toddlers

ABSTRACT

A handrail system optimized for use-with children under 5 years of age, which includes an elongated rail and support brackets for hanging it, beneath a standard handrail, at a height of about 28 inches and within easy reach of toddlers. Shaped to fit a child&#39;s hand, the rail of generally circular transverse cross-section, defines an elongated pocket for receiving the user&#39;s thumb so that the child can grip the rail firmly. Also included is an elongated rubber insert mounted on the rail and spaced apart from the elongated pocket. The rubber insert is positioned in such a way that when the user&#39;s hand grips the rail and his thumb engages the pocket, his finger tips press against the rubber insert, reducing the child&#39;s chances of slippage. Installable by the average do-it-yourselfer, three support bracket embodiments are provided: one attachable to the standard handrail and the others to the wall.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a non-provisional application of the earlier filed provisional application Ser. No. 60/633,775 filed Dec. 7, 2004, and claims the benefit of the priority of the filing date Dec. 7, 2004, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. Sec. 119(e)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Building codes for residences, schools and businesses specify that handrails be mounted at heights which are too high to be safely used by most children under 5 years old. Further, even if the child is able to stretch and reach up to touch a standard height handrail, the rail, in most cases is too thick for the child's hand to grip. Thus, when the youngsters are in their most unstable ambulatory period and just learning to walk, the activity of climbing and descending stairs is a very dangerous one for them. Therefore, handrail systems suitable for young children are needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a handrail system (hereinafter referred to as the “toddler handrail”) which can be used by very young children.

A second object of this invention is to provide such a handrail which is not only attractive, but also does not interfere with the use of a standard height handrail and can be easily installed by the homeowner.

In accordance with the present invention, the toddler handrail includes a plurality of rail segments and support brackets affixed thereto. Distal from the rail segments, the support brackets are rigidly attached to the underside of an existing standard height stair handrail which is disposed about 36 inches above the stair treads. Thus mounted each support bracket extends downwardly from the underside of the existing handrail. The support brackets hold the toddler handrail segments about 8 inches below the bottom of the standard handrail. Tests have shown that most toddlers can easily reach and grip the toddler handrail when it is held at this height.

Each of the support brackets defines a rail segment holder having a short, generally cylindrical passageway which, in use, is disposed with its longitudinal axis aligned generally parallel with the centerline of the existing standard height stair handrail. The rail segments, each of which is form fitted into one of the cylindrical passageways prior to use, are likewise aligned generally parallel with this handrail.

The rail segments themselves are elongated structures having generally circular transverse cross-sections which measure roughly about an inch in diameter. Shaped in such a way that they can easily be gripped by a young child, each rail segment defines an elongated pocket for receiving the user's thumb so that he can hold the rail tightly while descending the stairs. Further, an elongated rubber insert is affixed to each rail segment in such a position that the tips of the user's fingers press against the insert when his thumb engages the pocket, further aiding the child to get a tight grip on the rail.

In the preferred embodiment, the support brackets are placed on 4 foot centers; and each of the rail segments measures approximately 4 feet in length. However, these four foot long segments have been chosen only to facilitate packaging and do not represent a limitation on the scope of the invention.

In an alternate embodiment of the toddler handrail, which can be used when it is not feasible to attach the support brackets to the underside of the existing handrail or when wall support alone is more attractive for mounting them, the improved handrail system includes a support bracket having a slender curved column and, affixed thereto, a rail segment holder similar to the one described hereinabove. The end of the column distal from the holder terminates in a flange with holes for receiving wall mounting screws.

A second alternate embodiment of the improved handrail system also includes a support bracket with a wall mounting flange but lacks the rail segment holder. Instead of it, a plate on the end of the support bracket distal from the flange is fastened directly to the underside of the rail segment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the handrail system according to the present invention, showing the toddler handrail being used by a small child;

FIG. 2 is an underside perspective view of a portion of the handrail system according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fragmentary portion of a rail segment in the handrail system according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a transverse cross-section of the rail segment according to FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are bottom, side, and top perspective views, respectively, of a support bracket in the handrail system according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a closeup perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of a fragmentary portion of the support bracket, including its rail segment holder, according to FIG. 6;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are exploded and assembled perspective views, respectively, of an end cap and a fragmentary portion of the bracket, including its rail segment holder, according to FIG. 6;

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are top, side, and bottom perspective views, respectively, of a first alternate embodiment of the support bracket in the handrail system according to the present invention; and

FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 are top, side, and bottom perspective views, respectively, of a second alternate embodiment of the support bracket in the handrail system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The improved toddler handrail system, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, includes a plurality of support brackets 20 and rail segments 11. Each rail segment 11 comprises an elongated structure which is generally circular in transverse cross-section. Optimized to facilitate a child's gripping the toddler handrail, each rail segment 1 defines an elongated pocket 13 for receiving the user's thumb and an elongated slot for securing a rubber insert 14, respectively. The rubber insert 14 is provided to enhance the child's efforts to grip the toddler handrail using the tips of his fingers, so that his hand grip is firmer and less prone to slipping.

So that the rail segments 11 cannot rotate in the support brackets which suspend them from an existing standard height stair handrail 50, the rail segments are form fitted into rail segment holders 27. Disposed at the lower end of one of the support brackets 20, each holder 27 defines a through passageway 28 for receiving the rail segment 11 and further defines a barrier 29 for keeping the rail segment from sliding longitudinally. In the preferred embodiment, a key 19 is employed to provide an additional force fit between the rail segment 11 and the walls of the through passageway 28. Further means for securing the rail segment 11 within the holder 27 include screws which engage holes 18 formed in the keys 19 (FIGS. 2, 8, 9A and 9B).

The support bracket 20 is preferably formed as a single, unitary piece of plastic or metal and includes a generally rectangular mounting plate 21 and a slender column 23 attached thereto and extending downwardly therefrom. A side beam 25 attached to a portion of the column 23 distal from the plate 21 extends generally horizontally from the column and terminates in a side plate 24. Extending downwardly from its juncture with the side beam 25, the column 23 merges with an arched section 26 (FIGS. 2 and 6). Distal from the side beam 25, the arched section 26 is joined to a cylindrically shaped rail segment holder 27.

Made in sections which can be easily assembled by the average homeowner, the toddler handrail system 10 is installed by first placing the bracket mounting plate 21 of each of the support brackets 20 in contact with the underside of the standard height handrail 50 while the side plate 24 is in contact with the existing wall 51. In the preferred embodiment, the support brackets 20 are properly positioned when they are spaced apart at approximately 4 foot intervals. Then with the rail segment 11 inserted within the rail segment holder 27, one simultaneously fastens the plate 21, using screws inserted through its holes 22, to the handrail 50.

Preferably, the first and last rail segment holders 27 in each handrail system 10 include end caps 15 (FIGS. 9A and 9B). Used to fill the empty half of an end holder 27, each end cap 15 has at least one extension arm 16 with a button 17. In assembled relation, the button 17 snaps into the screw hole 18, defined by the holder 27, firmly locking the end cap 15 in place (FIGS. 9A and 9B).

In an alternate embodiment, the improved handrail system includes a bracket 30 which is used when the standard height handrail is not situated near the wall. Made for attachment to a wall or equivalent vertical structure, the bracket 30 includes an arm 33 with a wall mounting plate 34 (FIGS. 10-12). Holding the rail segment 11 is a rail segment holder 37 with a barrier 39, similar in structure to the holder 27 with its barrier 29, but attached instead to the end of the arm 33 distal from the plate 34.

In a further alternate embodiment, a bracket 40 includes a rail support plate 47, a wall mounting plate 44, and an arm 43, which is attached at its distal ends to the plates 44, 47 (FIGS. 13-15). The rail support plate 47 defines both a notch 45 for receiving the rubber insert 14 on the rail segment 11 and holes 48 in the bottom of the notch. In assembled relation, the rail segment 11, which is secured to the plate 47 with the use of screws inserted through the holes 48, compresses the rubber insert 14 into the notch 45, helping to stabilize the joint between the rail segment and the plate.

It is thought that the present invention and its advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from its spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely preferred or exemplary embodiment thereof. 

1. A handrail system for toddlers, comprising: (a) at least one rail segment; (b) at least two brackets for supporting the rail segment at such a height that toddlers can grip the rail segment; (c) the rail segment defining an elongated pocket for receiving a toddler's thumb; and (d) an elongated rubber insert, the rail segment further defining an elongated groove for receiving the rubber insert, the elongated pocket and groove being spaced apart and disposed generally upwardly and downwardly, respectively, when the rail segment is mounted in use, so that when the toddler grips the rail segment and his thumb is inserted into the elongated pocket, his finger tips can press against the elongated rubber insert, thereby facilitating the toddler's maintaining a firm grip on the rail segment.
 2. The handrail system according to claim 1, wherein each bracket includes a rail segment holder defining a hollow section which is sized and shaped for receiving one end of the rail segment and holding said rail segment end in a tight slip fit.
 3. The handrail system according to claim 1, wherein each bracket includes a rail segment holder having inside walls, including an elongated protrusion, which define a hollow section for holding the rail segment in a tight slip fit, the hollow section receiving one end of the rail segment whenever said rail segment end and the hollow section are aligned in such a way that the elongated protrusion is slideably receivable within the elongated pocket of the rail segment.
 4. The handrail system according to claim 1, wherein each bracket includes a rail segment holder defining a pair of first and second contiguous hollow sections, each hollow section being sized and shaped for receiving one end of the rail segment and holding said rail segment end in a tight slip fit.
 5. The handrail system according to claim 4, which further comprises at least one end cap with an extension arm and means for locking the extension arm in place within the second hollow section, even when the first hollow section is holding said rail segment end.
 6. The handrail system according to claim 1, wherein the rubber insert is further characterized as protruding outwardly slightly from the elongated groove; wherein each bracket includes a rail support plate, the rail support plate defining a notch for receiving an outwardly protruding portion of the rubber insert; and which further comprises means for attaching the rail segment to the rail support plate, said outwardly protruding portion of the rubber insert being compressed into the notch when the rail segment is attached to the rail support plate in assembled relation, thereby helping to stabilize the rail segment on the rail support plate.
 7. A handrail system for toddlers for use with a standard height handrail, comprising: (a) at least one rail segment; (b) means for mounting the rail segment below the standard height handrail, at such a height that toddlers can grip the rail segment; and (c) the rail segment defining an elongated pocket for receiving a toddler's thumb.
 8. The handrail system according to claim 7, which further comprises an elongated rubber insert, the rail segment further defining an elongated groove for receiving the rubber insert, the elongated pocket and groove being spaced apart and disposed generally upwardly and downwardly, respectively, when the rail segment is mounted in use, so that when the toddler grips the rail segment and his thumb is inserted into the elongated pocket, his finger tips can press against the elongated rubber insert, thereby facilitating the toddler's maintaining a firm grip on the rail segment. 